The US has approved the possible foreign military sale of M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks to Bahrain amounting to $2.2 billion.
The contract will cover 50 System Enhancement Package 3 (SEP v3) variant tanks equipped with M240 Coaxial 7.62mm machine guns.
Supporting capabilities included in the order are M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles and M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles.
Maintenance, training, and other logistics services will also be provided by the US.
General Dynamics, BAE Systems, Leonardo DRS, Honeywell Aerospace, RTX, and Lockheed Martin will serve as the sale’s principal contractors.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency described the proposed sale as a sign of support for US foreign policy and national security objectives, as it aims to bolster the security of a non-NATO ally promoting stability in the Middle East.
Battle-Tested Tank
Designed for modern armored warfare, the M1A2 Abrams is a battle tank fitted with composite armor for maximum defense.
Its SEP v3 variant can weigh up to 138,000 pounds (62,595 kilograms), making it one of the heaviest tanks in service. Despite its size, it can reach a maximum speed of 42 miles (67 kilometers) per hour thanks to its 1,500-horsepower multi-fuel turbine engine.
Its operators include Poland, Taiwan, and Ukraine, deployed as part of the US’ military aid for Kyiv.